Community to gather on Fire Island for first Emily Finn Foundation fundraiser

The memory of Emily Finn will be honored on Fire Island this month as family, friends and supporters come together for the first official fundraiser benefiting the newly established Emily Finn Foundation.

The event, scheduled for June 6 at Dive in Kismet, marks a significant milestone for the organization, which officially received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in early May.

Emily, an 18-year-old Sayville High School graduate and freshman at SUNY Oneonta, was killed in 2024. Suffolk County prosecutors allege she was shot by her former boyfriend, Austin Lynch, who has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder.

Her death shocked the Long Island community, where she was known as a talented dancer, dedicated student and aspiring teacher. Since then, her family has worked to channel their grief into action, building a foundation focused on helping young people recognize unhealthy relationships and access support before situations escalate, while also advocating for domestic violence awareness and gun safety.

“This is our first official annual fundraiser,” said Emily’s mother, Cliantha Miller-Finn. “We’re finally going to be able to start some of the initiatives we’ve been planning around education, advocacy, gun safety reform and mental health crisis support for our youth.”

Miller-Finn told Greater Long Island that one of the foundation’s priorities is reaching students where many relationships begin.

“We want to get into middle schools and high schools and educate kids about what a healthy relationship looks like versus what isn’t healthy,” she said. “Kids need to learn how to cope, and they need to know there are resources available before it’s too late.”

“Her favorite place on Earth was Kismet,” said family friend and event organizer Lanora Truglio. Her daughter, Maya, and Emily spent many summers on the beach and also worked at Dive as hostesses while in high school. But Emily always talked about how much the sunsets meant to her, particularly because of their color — pink, her favorite.

“Kismet is known for its magical sunsets, and Emily was always there watching them,” Truglio said. “It felt like the perfect place to celebrate her life.”

The event will feature a full day of activities beginning at 11 a.m. with a walk at Robert Moses Field 5 and continuing through sunset on Fire Island. Planned activities include a paddleboard paddle-out, a performance by The American Ballet Studio, where Emily was a student, and live music from three local bands.

The event is being sponsored by Frankie Bragaglia, owner of Standard Provisions properties and Dive, as well as Paul Saccoccio, owner of The Pizzeria. Bragaglia is Maya’s godfather and a close friend of the Finn family.

“Acting as a healing agent through this nightmare has been important for all of us,” Truglio said. “We’re trying to turn something unimaginably painful into something positive that can help other families.”

The foundation has already begun making an impact. Earlier community fundraisers and donations from local organizations, including Emily’s dance community, have helped fund scholarships in her memory. Organizers now hope the official launch will provide the resources needed to expand educational programs and advocacy efforts.

Miller-Finn said the support from across Long Island has been overwhelming.

“Turning pain into purpose has been amazing,” she said. “We’re so grateful to the community for helping us through this absolutely tragic and difficult time. We want to be a beacon of hope and make sure young people know there is support available.”

Organizers expect hundreds of attendees to participate in the fundraiser, which they hope will not only honor Emily’s life but also help advance the foundation’s mission of protecting and supporting young people throughout the region.

The first annual Emily’s Pink Sunset Over Kismet will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets and donations are available online.

Photos courtesy of Cliantha Miller-Finn and family.